"Glenville Stranger" Visits 1896 Grantsville Fair

(04/30/2001)

Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm
of the Calhoun Chronicle dated 10/6/1896.

We had the pleasure last week of attending the Grantsville fair one
day and we found the officers courteous and doing everything in their power
to please those in attendance. Mr. Blizzard, the president, was especially
kind in seeing that strangers were provided with good quarters. We
stopped at the Scott Hotel, Squire Ritchea, proprietor, and were well entertained
at this well known hostlery, and we advise our citizens that no better
accommodations can be found in Grantsville. The crowd on the last
day of the fair was large, the exhibits in the floral hall surpassed those
of previous years, and the racing was excellent considering the condition
of the track, and taken withal, the Grantsville fair was a success.
While there we had the pleasure of meeting a large number of our old time
friends, and were shown many courtesies by them. Col. Zack Stump
was especially kind, and he told us of the political situation in that
county, which is very encouraging indeed for the Democracy in old Calhoun.
We also had the pleasure of grasping the hand of Alfred E. Kenney, the
Democratic nominee for House of Delegates, and we want to say right here
that no better or abler gentleman could be found to represent that county
in the next Legislature. We also visited the Chronicle office, and
found Bro. Barr rushed with work, but he took time to crack a quart bottle
of newspaper oil with us, and talk over the difficulties that beset the
editor of a one horse country weekly. Many candidates were in attendance
upon said fair and each was presenting his respective claims to the voters
why they should support him. Even Capt. Wiant was there telling the
people the same old gag that the railroad would not be built up the Kanawha
unless McKinley was elected, and his talk was so disgusting that Sant Brannon,
as rabid a Republican as he is, told him he ought to be ashamed of himself.
Mr. Pearson, of Wirt, candidate for State Senator, was in attendance, and
said he would get a good many votes from the Democrats of Gilmer on account
of being a Baptist, but we warn him in time that religion and politics
don't go hand in hand in Gilmer, and no difference what his religion may
be, the people of Gilmer vote for the man. Our own C.D. Dotson was
also there, and won many warm friends by his prepossessing appearance and
his not boasting of any great accomplishments, but only claiming in a modest
way that he is one of the people, and will represent them to the best of
his ability, if elected, in the upper branch of the next Legislature.
We enjoyed our trip to Calhoun, and the many kindnesses shown us while
there will ever be remembered by the Stranger. - Glenville Stranger